Jay Spearing's football career has been put on hold - over a £100,000 payment due to Liverpool from Bolton Wanderers.

The midfielder was left out of Bolton’s home match with Preston on Saturday, when boss Neil Lennon learned that the Reds would have been due a six-figure payment had he played.

Bolton lost the match 2-1.

Spearing has played 22 Championship games for Wanderers this season, with the six-figure payment due on the 23rd.

“We had to leave Jay out because we can’t afford to pay money to Liverpool,” Lennon explained. “We did ask if they would defer it but they said no, and that’s fine, it’s their prerogative.

“If he plays another game we have to pay a certain amount of money to them but we can’t afford that right now.

“That leaves him in limbo, a difficult position. And that is hard to take as well because I think we missed him against Preston.”

Jay Spearing was back at Anfield with Bolton Wanderers to face Liverpool in the FA Cup last season

Spearing played 55 times for Liverpool before joining Bolton on loan for the 2012-13 season.

Named player of the season, the move was made permanent in the summer of 2013 with a £1.75million transfer fee advertised.

It is customary for transfer fee payments to be staggered - but it is understood the contract clause took Bolton’s new owners by surprise.

New chairman Ken Anderson arrives at the Macron this morning and one of his first tasks could be to convince Liverpool to delay their payment until finances are in place.

“It is early days and the guys have to get their feet under the table,” Lennon reasoned. “I know it is frustrating to them as well so I don’t think any blame should be apportioned to anyone. It’s just where we are at the minute.”

Spearing was loaned out to Blackburn Rovers after playing 21 Championship games last season – suggesting Wanderers may have looked to dodge this payment before.